Sarnath gains coveted status as UNESCO World Heritage Site after 28-year wait

Prelims-testable facts

• 01Sarnath has been a place of pilgrimage for over 2,500 years.
• 02Sarnath was included in UNESCO's tentative list on July 3, 1998.
• 03It took Sarnath 28 years to be officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 04India now has 45 World Heritage sites after Sarnath's inscription.
• 05Sarnath is a significant ancient Buddhist site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
• 06The recognition of Sarnath as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will strengthen Uttar Pradesh's Buddhist Circuit.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the UNESCO World Heritage List only includes sites from Europe, but actually it includes sites from all over the world.
• Most people think India has fewer than 45 World Heritage sites, but actually it has 45 after Sarnath's inscription.